Blacken Page 8

  Still, a smile peeked through, “I knew it. I knew you wouldn’t make a mistake.”

  He gripped the sides of the chair, talons slightly ripping the material, “So casual once again, do you honestly believe a friendship will blossom if you are just nice?”

  She swung her legs to sit cross style to face him better, breaking eye contact to nervously tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. Damn it. That was kind of the plan here…

  “What really brought you here? It wasn’t just to give me a hard time was it?”

  He chuckled darkly, “You say as if you were expecting my praise instead?”

  “Don’t get me wrong, I am happy you came back. I wanted to see you again.”

  Those talons finally punctured fabric, the feathered creature standing in agitation.

  “Are you ignorant or just plain stupid, human? What is it that you do not understand about I kill your fellow beings for a food source? You could be next; your friends could be next. Why do you not try to stop me? Why do you even try to be nice and civil and kind and—and—”

  “Because I think that you deserve some,” she interrupted, causing him to pause on an intake of breath and simply look at her.

  “You could’ve taken me out at any point. You could have tortured me to get the information you wanted; you could have hurt those who were close to me just for fun, but you didn’t. How else can I respond but with some kindness?” She stood to meet him, standing before him, the closest she had been voluntarily, “I meant what I said; that I would like to be friends. I would like to know more about you… I think about you constantly, you’re unlike anything I have ever seen. But I understand that I am just a nobody to you. You’re not the bad guy here, at least, I don’t think you are.”

  A hand came up between them, signaling for her to pause as the feathered being stepped back, looking away and amidst his thoughts.

  He continued to step back, “I do not get it. I just. Do not. Understand.” Suddenly, his head perked up to meet her eyes. He flew back up to her, grasping her arms, “Humans fear me, they hate me, no one makes it out alive when they meet me. You know your fate. So, fear me! Hate me!”

  He slightly shook her, as if that would make her think like all the other humans he met.

  “I can’t! I can’t, I’m sorry… Sometimes I think I’m nothing but afraid, but then my curiosity takes over and I want to know why you’re here, what I should call you, where did you come from? I want to try to know, at least try to understand who you are.” Avie placed her hands over top of his forearms in their hold, a bold move.

  She continued, “Why did you come back, then? If you don’t want anything to do with me, why come back and bother talking with me? Why even entertain that? Why? Please, tell me why!”

  Her words were getting somewhere with him. She saw him take them in, think them over, question his own motives. Maybe he really was lonely to try to continue any communications with a human.

  The being spoke through gritted teeth, “… Because you make me curious too.”

  It was a breakthrough; an incredible moment Avie didn’t think she would get to see—an admission to something. This odd back and forth that they had which made no sense to her, finally broke through the fog, just the smallest amount, in order to understand the existence before her.

  A knock on the door startled them both, turning towards the sound. He let her go, holding his own fists tightly. She looked back at his form, eyeing him intensely, a mix of desperate zeal and disappointment in the interruption reflecting back at her. The redhead couldn’t imagine how he interpreted the look.

  “I don’t want to answer it, I don’t want you to leave yet.”

  The pounding continued.

  “Avie! Open the door!” Owen’s muffled voice came through the wood.

  “... I cannot stay.”

  She spoke in a rushed whisper, “Will you come back? Will you come back again?”

  He looked at her, his gaze narrowed. Avie wondered how she sounded to him, asking him to come back, practically pleading to see him another time.

  “I have a lot to think about first.” In the brush of his wings, the giant was gone into the night again.

  The harsh wracks against the door continued, causing her to curse, stomping over to throw open the wood on its hinges.

  “Thank god, I was about to start kicking. I think I found something—a photo from a while back, it’s hard to make out but hear me out on this one.”

  Owen made his way into the flat, pulling out the picture to show off with pride.

  CHAPTER 8

  He could see her residence from the tree line.

  Perched in a tree, snow fell from a higher up branch, landing on his shoulders as he surveyed into the town. He groaned, disturbed at the sudden cold before shaking off the offending flakes with a roll of his wing. Her lights were off, but a soft glow still came from the abode, much the same as the last time he had been there.

  Under the guise of night, he moved, swooping down and travelling the short distance to the window by her fire escape. His talons curled under the pane, surprised when yet again it slid easily up and open for him. This human must be daft.

  A few days passed since their last contact, he stood the same as he did before, however, she was not there. He almost felt... disappointed?

  No that couldn’t be, perhaps it was more akin to him wasting his time when she couldn’t even be in to greet him. He paced back and forth, pondering if he should even bother to come back at a later time, the aftermath of their last meeting floating to the surface.

  He entered his home, the scent of damp wood and pine once again welcoming him back as he walked through the threshold. Talons at his side clasped and released while pacing the living room over the interaction with the human.

  This person wanted to see him again. She thought he was good despite what he did to her race. Gave kindness when he hadn’t even tried to reciprocate. But the few times he’s met with her, he did want to go back.

  There was something strange in what she said, about vibrations in her body. He wouldn’t mind learning a little about that, it may help him with his meals in the future, right? He guessed that could be worth seeing the female again.

  He looked over at the coat she had left in the woods, now resting on a covered armchair. Walking over to hold it, he thumbed over the fabric, inspecting it in the darkness. He remembered the internal struggle of picking the thing up to begin with, intending to toy with that human once again; never imagining the conversation to steer in such a way.

  “Friends. What a thing to want with someone like me.”

  An odd jingling and clicking noise caught his attention, drawing him to watch the door. The young woman entered, flicking on the lights and shutting the wood behind her.

  Her face lit up with excitement upon spotting him in the small space, rather than in the past where dread and apprehension expressed on her features. She turned off the bright lighting once again, leaving them bathed in a soft blue glow. “You came back!”

  He didn’t respond, focusing too heavily on rationalizing the human’s behavior. Amber eyes watched as she moved, drawing the curtains closed before turning on lights strung along the wall, giving the room more lighting, yet still dim.

  “I made sure to set up a few things if I got to see you again. The curtains are black out, no one can see in. I didn’t know if you didn’t like harsh lighting, so I got dim wattages for these.”

  He hummed in retort, seeing her place in more detail. A small space compared to his, with yellow flowers separated by blue borders vertically lining the walls and a few paintings detailing abstract humans interacting with various items and each other. Far less furniture occupied here compared to the ones littering his abode. For the better part of a few minutes, he wandered around the enclosed room, touching items, running his hands over the spines of books on their case, picking them up, scrutinising. His back was turned when he finally broke the silence.

  “Tell m
e more about your body vibrations.”

  Turning, his eyes were drawn to the movement of her toying with a ring on her finger, “Well, it was what brought me into town in the first place. It stops when people get here, mine did too for a while. Then the feeling came back, and it’s getting worse every time. It feels powerful, like it clenches around my bones and I have no idea what’s causing it. I seem to be the only one that still has it.”

  “Other people experienced this too?”

  “Yes, apparently a good number of people travelled into the town because of that odd feeling in their body. It was a guiding map and stopped when they were led here. Most thought it was a form of intervention or an anomaly of the town, so they stayed here. No one else I know of ever had it come back, except maybe if they left Blacken. Which is why I’m so confused as to why it keeps happening to me.”

  Nodding, taking the information in, his feathered self placed the book down and situated on her couch. She sat across him in a dining chair, gauging his reaction.

  “And you think I have something to do with it.”

  “I’m not sure how,” she laughed nervously, “but I think, in some way, yes.”

  “Is that why you are trying to get close to me? For answers?”

  The female shook her head slowly, “I would like to know about you, but not just in that way. Like, like… What’s your favourite colour?”

  He felt his face scrunch at the absurd question, “Favourite colour?”

  “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, do you only see in black and white?” The expression blanched.

  He chuckled, “Typical human! So ignorant!” His laughter continued as he waved a dismissive hand, “No, I see an array of colours and shades, possibly more than you humans do, but I have no basis for that.”

  “Then which one do you like seeing the most?” Perking up, the human looked excited for the answer. Her energy was full of expectation and childish glee—a different experience for sure.

  “Why would I need to answer this?”

  “It’s so we can learn more about each other, it’s fun!”

  “This is for children; we were just discussing matters more serious.”

  The female bit at her bottom lip, a question on her face, yet a debate expressed over saying it or not.

  “You don’t like having fun? It’s okay if you don’t have a favourite.”

  He stumbled, “I, um…” The nerve of this human… He had to prove that he did now. “The deep licks of ocherous fire, the faded gamboge spark of the sun setting on the horizon and burning crescendo in early mornings. That is my favourite.”

  Her face changed. Instead of the eager smile, eyes softened while her mouth parted slightly, she looked surprised—entranced.

  “That’s beautiful. You really do see more than we could.” He smirked, feeling his ego swell. “Could I ask… something more personal?”

  The smile dropped, instead he leaned forward with his hands clasped together, eyes bearing into hers. He knew these heavier ones would eventually come up, though there were never any conversations lasting longer that the usual questions:

  “Who are you? What’s going on? Why is this happening?”

  It never went very far with those humans.

  “It depends, you can ask, but I may not answer.”

  She nodded, the apprehension practically dripped off her in the low lighting, “Are you from another planet?”

  Tension held in the air after the words left her red lips. She waited patiently as he studied her, running her question around in his mind, debating whether to lie or simply tell the truth. He leaned back, breaking away eye contact for a moment before returning. Settling on the latter, he breathed a low whisper,

  “I am.”

  The female let out her breath, inhaling and exhaling in the thrilling moment. Goosebumps pricked her skin, evident even in their distance. The air became electric between them as they sat, awash in the revelation.

  “I knew it. Oh, Owen would be so jealous if he only knew I was talking to an alien.”

  His face twisted, “That man has been a thorn in my side for years. I do not know how you can stand such an annoyance.”

  “But he’s really very sweet. He’s a lot of fun to be around and always has some interesting knowledge—”

  “That is enough,” his voice cut through her so low and quietly.

  She stuttered to a close, vision resting back to him, “Right, we’re not talking about him, this is about us.” He nodded in agreeance. “And there was really nothing you knew about the vibrating?”

  “It is just as much a mystery to me; I have not heard of this situation until you.”

  It was the truth, after all. How was he to become interested in a human if they were to become a meal shortly after?

  This human asked a fair bit of questions, his response to only about half. Yet she answered every single one he asked—about the strange sensation she had, to when she felt it and what it was like. They conversed about why he didn’t go out to kill unless absolutely necessary, remarking how some humans tasted wrong and he would be hungry again shortly after if that was the case.

  “Can you have livestock instead of humans?”

  “No, I cannot. If I am unable to feed properly on certain humans, I certainly can not survive on less intelligent heaps of meat.” She nodded thoughtfully, taking all the information in. “And this does not disgust you in any way?”

  The female laughed lightly, “In some weird way, it’s all actually very interesting learning about you. Maybe because it’s a secret. Maybe because you’re something more than a human being. I’m not quite sure.”

  “You find me interesting?”

  It was a sentiment he never would have thought to hear. All he ever came to know was fear from these humans. The sudden change from one in particular had struck a chord with him, made him feel different. At first it made him angry, his ego getting in the way and refusing to acknowledge a change in perspective. Humans were food sources, not something to connect to. Then the anger dissolved into confusion—attempting to process a human’s innermost workings and hidden plans, what they meant after every little remark.

  She leaned forward, an intense look read on her face that made his mouth part open for a heavy breath to escape, “I am deeply fascinated with you.”

  The resolve broke, the look in her eyes showcasing no hidden motives, a look that reminded him of someone from his past, yet he couldn’t place. This human truly did find him fascinating instead of one to fear now. She truly did want to know about him.

  He stood abruptly, walking over to where she sat, he may regret this in the long run, yet he extended his hand anyway, “Come with me. I would like to show you something.”

  Tilting her head in uncertainty, the hand was taken regardless. He noticed a tint in her cheeks at what was his kindest gesture to her, leading her to the window where the fire escape sat outside.

  “Follow me, I will wait for you at the tree line.”

  Disengaging their hands, he leapt, moving with swiftness to keep out of sights. Landing on a branch in mere seconds, he turned back, locating the small human. She had been much further away than he anticipated, not as fast as he was, still he waited for her.

  Finally, she reached the line of spruce trees, looking around for his figure. He watched her below him, searching around in circles. With a leap, he landed behind her, startling her enough to jump and spin around.

  “This way.”

  He led the way through the maze of branches and roots, hearing her pant from attempting to keep up with his stride, wandering the forest until they came across the manor once more.

  She took in the clearing, “This is?”

  “My home, so to speak. This is where I have been living, I figure you may want a proper look at it. If there were anything here for you to discover, I can allow you free reign. It actually has a lot of charm.”

  An astonished look met him, “You’re going to show me your home? This hous
e?” She gestured to the building.

  “What, did you think I slept in a tree? You do not have to if you want,” he chuckled, opening up more with the human. Or Avie, as she was regarded? It was what that annoyance called her…

  “No! No, I do, I would love to. Thank you.” She eagerly jogged the short distance to catch up.

  As they arrived at the entrance, he opened the door for her, allowing her entry first. Avie walked in, taking in the same space he presided, taking in the sight of the first floor.

  “I’ve been in here before, that night. I thought I was being led to this building.” Her hand traced over the graffiti on the wall beside, “Do you get very many unwelcome visitors?”

  “Not for a while, have you seen upstairs at all?”

  She eyed the staircase warily, “Are the stairs safe?”

  “Strong as bricks.” He stepped to the side, gesturing for her to try them out.

  Upstairs, he showed her his sleeping arrangements; various soft materials gathered in a makeshift bed. Many stacks of books littered the room, a large window allowed the moonlight in and draped across a small elegant loveseat—a wood burning furnace sat cold in the corner.

  Picking up a title, jade attention skimmed over a few pages, “Can you read in this lighting?”

  “I often use the fireplace in the living room, it makes it much easier.”

  Avie smiled, closing the book, “You’ve done a lot of reading.”

  “It is the only thing I can do to pass the time.”

  The human looked back to him, realizing his lack of hobbies. Searching the room again with her eyes low, she seemingly counted the hardcovers occupying this space alone. She huffed, a visible debate happening across her face as her expressions changed.

  “These are probably how you know so much about us.”

  Handing the hard cover back to him, he took it from her fingers, his talons brushing against their softness, “And why I am so confused as to why your actions differ so much from these humans. No alien nor monster usually fare very well in the end.”

  “I don’t think any of them had the chance to meet one.”